Adapting to a foreign culture: The challenges for expats
Crown Relocations, a premier global firm in international professional reintegration, has investigated how expatriates adapt to cultural differences: has it become more challenging or more manageable over time? Their latest report, "Relocating in a Changing World: 2024 Global Expatriate Survey," reveals that expatriates increasingly struggle with different cultural norms. Notably, these challenges began evolving well before the COVID-19 pandemic, with the landscape of international mobility gradually transforming over the last two decades.
The survey included 1,000 expatriates from 73 countries residing in seven popular expat destinations: the United States, the United Kingdom (200 expatriates surveyed), Germany, India (150), the United Arab Emirates, Australia, and Singapore (100). Most respondents are between the ages of 25-34 (40%) and 35-44 (34%).
The gender distribution shows 56% male and 43% female participants. Most have relocated internationally for work multiple times: 2 to 3 times (31%) or 4 to 5 times (26%). There is a significant number of first-time expatriates (31%), compared to serial expatriates (11%). For the vast majority (92%), adapting to the host country's culture comes with some challenges, with 65% describing it as a "great challenge" or a "very difficult" experience. These perceptions vary significantly based on their original environments, with Europeans and North Americans, for example, finding it particularly challenging to adapt to vastly different cultures such as those in India or Japan.
Challenges escalate with each relocation
What motivates individuals to move abroad? Common reasons include seeking higher salaries, improved quality of life, better career prospects, advancement in social and professional ranks, and personal growth and well-being. These motivations have intensified following the health crisis, with the trauma of lockdowns pushing more workers to relocate internationally.
Participants in the Crown Relocations survey highlighted several factors for moving abroad: 41% sought a better quality of life, 38% aimed for personal enrichment and career advancement, and 31% were attracted by the prospect of immersing in a new culture. Additionally, 27% of expats were energized by change, and 21% were drawn to experiencing life in a different environment or climate. A smaller percentage relocated to learn a new language (19%) or provide their children with a superior education (17%).
Despite these aspirations, most expatriates report significant challenges adapting to their host country's culture. For 65% of respondents, cultural adaptation is the most significant hurdle. Contrary to expectations, those who have relocated multiple times often find it increasingly difficult to adjust to cultural differences. Nearly 60% of surveyed expatriates indicate that adapting to these differences has become more challenging over time, attributing this to cumulative fatigue from repeated relocations, which hampers their integration efforts. Frequent moves tend to make them feel more uprooted and disconnected from society. While some strive to integrate, they often need more time. Others resign to a minimal adjustment, keeping in mind that their stay is temporary and not conducive to a profound cultural assimilation.
Impacts of digitalization on cultural integration
The study reveals that 56% of expatriates find adapting to their host country's culture challenging. It underscores the often-overlooked impact of digitalization on cultural exchanges. At first glance, the digital age appears to enhance interactions. The world increasingly resembles a vast social network, with multiple platforms facilitating unprecedented cultural mingling as millions of messages are exchanged around the clock.
However, this hyperconnectivity paradoxically introduces a sense of distance. Abundant digital messages tend to disregard the importance of face-to-face interactions. While social media remains useful and can ease communication with locals using common platforms, interactions confined to digital messages can look superficial. It's common for individuals to distinguish between their "Internet friends" and their "real-life friends." While it's certainly possible to form deep friendships entirely online, the true essence of expat life lies in "real-life" interactions. Such direct contacts are crucial for genuinely embedding oneself and building a "home" in the host country.
Understanding the cultural challenges faced by expats
Survey participants pinpointed four major areas of cultural challenge. The language barrier tops the list, with 39% of respondents citing it as their primary hurdle. Many expatriates continue to face difficulties mastering the language, even after several years in their new country. Although learning the language before relocating abroad is highly recommended, the real-life environment and lifestyle significantly impact the learning process. Operating in professional and social settings where the host language is rarely used does little to motivate learning. Infrequent interactions with locals—such as those in administrative offices or shops—do not provide sufficient practice to facilitate significant progress.
Adapting to culture and time: Perceptions vary by country
Many expatriates distance themselves from the stereotype of refusing to learn the host language; instead, they actively try to understand but often feel frustrated by their limitations. The demanding pace of life frequently hinders the opportunity to attend language classes, which respondents identified as the second most significant challenge, with 37% indicating that the pace of life in the host country itself is a hurdle.
The organization of work and daily hours varies significantly from one country to another, influencing expats' lifestyles. For instance, Singapore is known for its long workdays, while in India, work hours are flexible, often adjusting to the company's needs and the availability of employees. This difference stems from cultural perceptions of time: unlike the Western linear concept of time, India views time as cyclical, with no distinct beginning or end, leading to expectations that employees remain available for work late at night and even on Sundays.
The other significant challenges for expatriates include adapting to local cuisine (33%) and social norms (29%). To mitigate these challenges, many expatriates opt for culturally similar destinations. However, it's important not to overlook the unique cultural nuances of each country. For example, expatriates who moved to Spain and Italy, attracted by the cultural similarities, soon discovered that despite sharing a language, the two Mediterranean nations have distinctly different cultures.
Challenges for expat families
Relocating abroad with a family presents its own set of challenges, as confirmed by 48% of respondents who found it complex to introduce the idea of moving abroad to their family. Convincing family members often required firm persuasion, revealing that the concept was not as appealing to them as to the initiator.
The once-common image of expats receiving a generous relocation package—including partner training and schooling for children—is increasingly rare. Today, such benefits are typically reserved for the highest echelons of professions. Most others must navigate building a new life abroad with minimal support. Partners often receive a dependent visa but face the daunting task of securing employment, potentially sacrificing a flourishing career back home to start anew.
Children also face significant adjustments, particularly those old enough to have formed strong attachments to their home country's lifestyle, friends, and activities. Securing appropriate educational arrangements posed an additional challenge for 46% of respondents. Despite these difficulties, 86% of participants reported their children showed "great enthusiasm" for the move, highlighting a complex blend of challenges and excitement within expat families.
Conclusion
The gradual shift in the global mobility landscape is deeply intertwined with socio-cultural transformations within countries. Two decades ago, the typical expat was envisioned as a prosperous executive pursuing career advancement abroad, driven by self-fulfillment through professional achievements. Today, the perception and self-identification of many expatriates have evolved. They often shy away from the traditional expatriate label, preferring to consider themselves ordinary residents seeking to enhance their quality of life in a foreign land. Modern expats are increasingly mindful of their environmental footprint and strive to make a positive contribution to their host communities. Despite being aware of the inherent challenges of relocating abroad, they are prepared to tackle these obstacles head-on.
